As a cost-cutting measure, your decision to eliminate Jim Spencer’s column struck me as another sign that journalism in this country continues its decline in investigative, comprehensive and quality reporting. He is the third columnist you’ve eliminated whom I looked forward to reading.

For years, Spencer’s column remained one of the few I could read with the expectation that he would back up whatever he wrote with more than just opinions, as opposed to vituperative ranting.

The Post’s value as journalism is, of course, always trapped in its lack of timeliness, given it is mostly yesterday’s news. I could at least look to Spencer’s column, which often provided insight into an important aspect of Denver life.

Continuing in this direction will eventually mean you’re only providing me with old news and columnists who follow the paths of intolerance and opinionated pieces. At that point, why will I even bother subscribing?

Rudy Garcia, Denver

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It is with great sadness that I read Jim Spencer’s adieu column in last Friday’s Post. I will never forget what a breath of fresh air he brought to my life and learning when he first came to Denver and wrote with sensitivity, caution and concern about an event which was being uncritically applauded by nearly all the mainstream media – our invasion of Iraq. He refused to be a cheerleader for the horror he knew war in general, and this war in particular, is. Four-plus years later, how prescient and prophetic he has turned out to be.

And he has continued to write about so many other subjects – local, national, international – with the same kind of clarity and compassion. He has steadfastly refused to bow to the politically correct. He has taken seriously the charge of his journalistic vocation: to dig deep, question authority, speak truth to power.

But now his voice is silenced for, it is said, lack of money. Lack of money for him but not, sadly, for a vacuous daily “People” column about vacuous, vapid celebrities, or for a nearby column touting the results of Denver television’s “Hottest News People” – those, I guess, whom viewers judge to look their best when reading the copy others have generally written for them.

I thank Jim Spencer for his years, courage and inspiration, and hope that someday soon he will find a place that truly appreciates his clear, caring conscience, beautiful writing, and unique voice.

Sandra Gordon Pettijohn, Denver

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Dictionary of terms in immigration debate

Illegal: Violating the law.

Alien: Belonging to another country, foreign.

Immigrant: Someone who immigrates into a country.

Immigrate: To legally enter a country of which one is not a native in order to live permanently.

Law enforcement: To impose the rule/code of law.

Amnesty: Act of pardon by legislative authority which effaces (wipes out) not merely a punishment but the cause as well, so fresh proceedings can be instituted.

America desperately needs an attorney general, not more non-enforced laws.

Leon Rodriguez, Denver

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Modern childbirth

Re: “A bundle of joy can prove pricey,” June 13 news story.

Your article begins with, “At the beginning of the 20th century, having a baby was dangerous but not all that expensive: Women simply hired a midwife for a couple of dollars and prayed they wouldn’t die on the kitchen table.”

How arrogant and fear-based a statement – seeing birth as a medical procedure needing to be under the watchful eye of the modern medical establishment.

If in fact this article ran even a short 150 years ago, or thousands of years prior, before modern medical intervention on the birthing process, it would be seen as a joke.

As a physician, I have assisted in home births, and most recently was “present only” during the birth of a baby. My presence was totally as an assist to a family of four children ranging from the age of 2 through 14, who each in their own way took part in this ancient art known as birthing – which, by the way, is re-emerging, as the fear associated with and supported by the modern medical establishment is being exposed for what it is and is not.

Injection sites about safety, providing a path to recover Re: “Safe injection site bill shelved,” Feb. 20 news story Understandably, a person’s first reaction to providing safe injection sites for drug users might seem ludicrous. But, upon educating oneself and learning more about the research and purpose behind the sites, safety for all is the No. 1 premise. Republican minority...

The Catholic dioceses of Colorado should have reported to authorities any and all accusations of sexual abuse decades ago, but we must praise the development that finally came Tuesday when church officials announced they will open their records for scrutiny.